Last year, photography headlines noted a revival of enthusiasm in the old-fashioned camera sector.

The most active manufacturers for this segment were Olympus with its PEN camera and Fujifilm, with its Fuji X100 one of the most acclaimed cameras of 2011.

The Fuji X10 is an interesting low-cost transposition of the Fujifilm X100:

Same old-fashioned metal design

Smaller sensor: in place of the X100’s APS-C sensor the X10 has a tiny 2/3-inch EXR CMOS sensor. Interestingly, this sensor is still 2 times larger than the F600 EXR sensor.

A 4x zoom lens: while the X100 has a fast prime wide-angle, the X10 provides a 4x zoom with a focal equivalent of 28 to 112 mm on a 24x36 sensor. Worth noting is that specific attention was paid to the aperture: the zoom is very bright from 28 mm (f/2.0) to 112mm (f/2.8)

The Fuji X10 uses the same EXR technology as the F600 and F550: the pixels are displayed as described here:

FujiFilm X10 DxOMark review

The X10’s results are really good for its category. It achieves scores close to 1/2 stop better than the Fuji F600. Its Color depth (20.5) and dynamic range (11.3 Evs) remain in the same range as the best camera in this segment (Canon Powershot G12 or PowerShot S100).

The low-light ISO score (245) places the Fuji X10 between two types of cameras:

On the other hand, the Nikon 1 cameras achieve a low-light ISO score of 372 - 2/3 stop better than the X10.

As with every camera in this segment, the X10’s low-light ISO score remains low. But its performance is still interesting, and its bright lens should enable users to shoot nice photos.

FujiFilm X10 and its competitors

For this specific segment, the manufacturers’ technical propositions differ significantly, so available comparisons are numerous. Here is a selection:

Fujifilm X100 vs FujiFilm X10

The two cameras are significantly different with respect to their sensors... and to their DxOMark scores.

Fujifilm X10 vs FujiFilm Finepix F600EXR

The X10’s sensor is 2 times larger, and its low-light ISO score close to 2/3 stop better, but it is also more expensive.

Fujifilm X10 vs Nikon 1 J1 vs Nikon 1 V1

The Nikon 1 takes the lead, particularly in terms of low-light ISO score.

Fujifilm X10 vs Canon Powershot S100 vs Nikon P7100

Among compact cameras, the Fuji X10 is definitely a good choice.

Further readings for the Fujifilm X10 review: an-old fashioned compact camera with some surprises

To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.

It’s rare in the world of photography for a manufacturer to come up with an entirely new product line from scratch, and it’s equally rare for a famous manufacturer such as Nikon (the world market leader) to offer a new lens mount (Nikon CX). This makes the launch of the Nikon 1 line (Nikon J1 and Nikon V1) a major event in photography this fall.

High Tech in a Classic Package: The Hybrid Viewfinder

The X100 has been one of the most anticipated compact cameras. Although it looks like an old rangefinder, it is a very modern device. Its most obvious innovation is its hybrid viewfinder that combines both an optical viewfinder and an electronic one, projecting the information from the electronic viewfinder onto the optical one. And this really works!

Comments

Will DXO test the new X10 sensor?

Fuji is offering X10 owners a sensor replacement repair service to address the "orb" issue. I have seen test images that indicate the issue is resolved with the new sensor. I am hoping DXO will test this new sensor to see what else has changed. I also agree with other posts here that this camera should be tested in the various EXR modes.

First replies for this comment

Re: Will DXO test the new X10 sensor?

Crop factor error

There is a crop factor error in the specs quote on the X10. If the sensor is 2/3" it must have a crop factor of 3.94 not 5.50. We know this because the X10 lens is 7.1mm - 28.4mm which converts to 28mm - 112mm.

If it was 5.50 you end up with 40mm. :)

Also the crop factor and sensor size are missing from the preview of the X-S1 listing as well. But we know these because it is the same sensor. Therefore 6.6mm x 8.8mm crop factor of 3.94x.

The sensor does not have stabilization but lens does so the specs of the X10 is yes to that question not no.

Really frustrating

Why DXOMark can't test in EXR Mode HDR and SNR separately. There is no point of buying this camera if its EXR modes are not used with it! If I am buying that camera again, it will be for these special modes on EXR sensor.

HR mode was tested

You can tell by comparing the Print vs Screen modes. The print mode results are scaled to 8mp for all sensors. The screen mode is the per pixel results.

All recent sensor results drop when going from Print to Screen mode as they have more than 8mp. The X10 was no exception so that shows the test was done at 12mp (HR). If one of the EXR 6mp modes had been used then the results would have improved when going from Print to Screen.

I too wished they had test the 6mp DR400 mode for this sensor. They can easily manually select it under Program mode by changing the Image Size and the DR. Then we could compare the 6mp vs 12mp results.

SN, SR or HR?

Very well, the X10 beats other compacts. But how were the scores calculated? Best SNR is achieved in 6MP SN more, and best dynamic range is obtained in 6MP SR score.Though it is quite surprising there is no word on this! Not even an explanation how the sensor works, only the layout is shown.